1/27/10

Today was a big day for us trend trackers - Apple officially announced the iPad which has the potential to yet again change the way we live and do business. I'm already lusting after it, because I see it as the future as in how I can run my business when I am out of town as well as a way I can hopefully cut out some of my handwritten notes that even I can't understand my own handwriting. Will it change the world as we know it? I've learned to never underestimate what Apple and Steve Jobs can bring to the table so you never know - maybe it will. And I will be the first to express my unconditional love for my "geniuses" at my favorite Apple store (Dallas - NorthPark - they are the best!) - they have made it possible for me to do things I never thought could be possible without another 5 or 10 employees and a lot of consultants.
I just got back from the International Builders Show and it was more evident than ever that we need to be open to how quickly our buyers needs and expectations are changing or we will quickly become extinct. Apple is a great success story of how a company refuses to sit on it's successes - every day they are pushing the envelope and coming up with new ways to make our lives much more interesting while listening to the customer and making the experience "all about them".

Today was a big day for us trend trackers - Apple officially announced the iPad which has the potential to yet again change the way we live and do business. I'm already lusting after it, because I see it as the future as in how I can run my business when I am out of town as well as a way I can hopefully cut out some of my handwritten notes that even I can't understand my own handwriting. Will it change the world as we know it? I've learned to never underestimate what Apple and Steve Jobs can bring to the table so you never know - maybe it will. And I will be the first to express my unconditional love for my "geniuses" at my favorite Apple store (Dallas - NorthPark - they are the best!) - they have made it possible for me to do things I never thought could be possible without another 5 or 10 employees and a lot of consultants.

I just got back from the International Builders Show and it was more evident than ever that we need to be open to how quickly our buyers needs and expectations are changing or we will quickly become extinct. Apple is a great success story of how a company refuses to sit on it's successes - every day they are pushing the envelope and coming up with new ways to make our lives much more interesting while listening to the customer and making the experience "all about them".

1/10/10

Paint and color can make all of the difference in a room. This is a model home that The Home Idea Factory merchandised for @home Builders in Rochester, NY and we put the builder's kids to work - with adult supervision we had the kids dip their hands in water based paint and apply their handprints to the wall. It added lots of personality to the room and was an easy, inexpensive way to make it unique and memorable.

1/8/10

Shaw Carpets had a great event in Grapevine, TX yesterday. A pie fight that was the largest in the world with 1,200 pies and 434 participants took place on their Anso Nylon carpet to show how easily it could be cleaned. Shaw understands lifestyle, and this Lifestylist has seen firsthand how well their carpets not only hold up to pie, but to other challenges as well such as pets, toddlers, and wine dinners. The best part is that Shaw made donations to Dallas Animal Advocates and their volunteers got to do the throwing. Feeding America was also a benefactor, and Shaw's donation to the organization will provide up to 70,000 meals to people in 13 Texas counties.

Thanks to Shaw for a fun event and your support of a great organization.

1/5/10

The countdown has begun for the International Builders Show - in two weeks we will be attending this annual event that will be held in Las Vegas, NV. USA Today had a great article today about the modular and prefab homes that will be on display. Palm Harbor Homes and Champion Homes will both have modular houses to see, and I'll be sure to take photos to share with all of you here. Designer Anthony Lucas and Sales manager Steve Reyenga both had great careers with Patriot Homes and I loved working with them there -I know these homes will do all of the Patriot alumni proud.

If you are attending the IBS show and would like to meet with us and see what a Lifestylist can add to your homes,please contact us at: answers@lifestylist.com so we can walk the show together!

The countdown has begun for the International Builders Show - in two weeks we be attending this annual event that will be held in Las Vegas, NV. USA Today had a great article today about the modular and prefab homes that will be on display. Palm Harbor Homes and Champion Homes will both have modular houses to see, and I'll be sure to take photos to share with all of you here. Designer Anthony Lucas and Sales manager Steve Reyenga both had great careers with Patriot Homes and I loved working with them there -I know these homes will do all of the Patriot alumni proud.

If you are attending the IBS show and would like to meet with us and see what a Lifestylist can add to your homes,please contact us at: answers@lifestylist.com so we can walk the show together!

1/1/10

Happy New Year! One of the things I like to do at the end of every year is to go back and see what people have searched for or asked on my websites - it gives me a great snapshot of what people are looking for and want to know about when they visit. This year, what exactly a Lifestylist is and what is Lifestylist Marketing was the number one question.

The Lifestylist philosophy is that "It's all about You" - the client's life and style is what dictates how a Lifestylist works with you. My favorite example is I had a client in Phoenix, Arizona that was a major Phoenix Suns fan, and their team colors are orange and purple. The client wanted their entire home done in these colors. What they wanted is what they got, complete with a child's room with a hardwood floor striped like a basketball court.

I just spoke to a friend who's dog had just dug up her entire garden and her daughter slammed the door on a neighbor's hand - all in about 30 minutes time. Her needs and lifestyle are completely different from my Son - no kids, no dogs, and lives in front of his computer. What my style is wouldn't work well for either of them which is why I need to understand the client and what their "hot buttons" are. It takes extra time and sleuthing to achieve this - many times the client has trouble putting into words exactly what they are looking for but know it when they see it. I take the responsibility very seriously - a person's environment can truly change their lives in a positive or negative way. If someone is happy in their home their quality of life improves.

Lifestylist Marketing is about you, and what your needs are. Customer service is an obsession with me, and if I can't help you with what you are looking for I'll always try to find someone who can help you. Model home merchandising is something we have been doing for a long time and we have an extensive list of other qualified merchandisers, marketing consultants, research firms - you name it! Let us know what your needs are and we'll try to help you find that special something or firm that you are looking for.